Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field to Centennial Airport MKC → APA
477 nautical miles (549 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 276°, about 275° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 8:41 am MDT (14:41 UTC). Right now MKC is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21; APA is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 12 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the first 328 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the last 20 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 20 nm of the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from MKC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 descending, 15 nm north, 3:10 am CDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B737 descending, 15 nm north, 2:10 am CDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. At the destination end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0710/FLDURD/TP B737/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 07:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- smooth
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 43 nm southwest, 3:14 am CDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. At the destination end, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 08:14 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- zdvwc
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 4 forecast points nearest it (MKC, SLN, GLD, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 240° at 40 kt | +34 kt | 86 kt | 5 h 33 min | 9:36 am MDT (15:36 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 34 kt | +30 kt | 21 °C | 90 kt | 5 h 18 min | 9:21 am MDT (15:21 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 25 kt | +22 kt | 14 °C | 98 kt | 4 h 52 min | 8:55 am MDT (14:55 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +18 kt | 10 °C | 102 kt | 4 h 41 min | 8:44 am MDT (14:44 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +17 kt | 6 °C | 103 kt | 4 h 38 min | 8:41 am MDT (14:41 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 28 kt | +22 kt | 1 °C | 98 kt | 4 h 52 min | 8:55 am MDT (14:55 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 33 kt | +26 kt | -4 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 04 min | 9:07 am MDT (15:07 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 37 kt | +30 kt | -8 °C | 90 kt | 5 h 18 min | 9:21 am MDT (15:21 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 45 kt | +36 kt | -21 °C | 84 kt | 5 h 41 min | 9:44 am MDT (15:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 70 kt | +66 kt | -30 °C | 54 kt | 8 h 50 min | 12:53 pm MDT (18:53 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 73 kt | +72 kt | -36 °C | 48 kt | 9 h 56 min | 1:59 pm MDT (19:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 66 kt | +65 kt | -48 °C | 55 kt | 8 h 40 min | 12:43 pm MDT (18:43 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SLN | used from 50 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GLD | used from 248 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 397 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 4:54 am CDT (09:54 UTC) |
| LWC Lawrence, KS | 30 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 833 ft | 09:52 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 50 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 99 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 09:52 UTC |
| RCP Stockton, KS | 218 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,999 ft | ||||
| HLC Hill City, KS | 248 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 15 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| CBK Colby, KS | 298 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 3,188 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| SYF St Francis, KS | 338 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,429 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| LIC Limon, CO | 417 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,884 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,884 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At APA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:41 am MDT (14:41 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for APA
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MKC, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at APA 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field, Centennial Airport.